Best institutions to study Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist
A program that prepares individuals to work with pathologists to detect changes in body cells that may indicate, and permit diagnosis of, the early development of cancers and other diseases.
16 U.S. institutions graduated 137 Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.1002, a specialization of Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10), and leads most directly to the Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1071).
About Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist programs
A program that prepares individuals to work with pathologists to detect changes in body cells that may indicate, and permit diagnosis of, the early development of cancers and other diseases. Includes instruction in biochemistry, microbiology, applied mathematics, microscopy, slide preparation, identification of cellular structures and abnormalities, and laboratory procedures and safety.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist program prepares students to work alongside pathologists in detecting cellular changes that may indicate the early stages of cancer and other diseases. This program is ideal for individuals interested in health professions and those who wish to contribute to critical diagnostic processes in clinical and laboratory settings.
Students in this program gain knowledge in biochemistry, microbiology, microscopy, and laboratory safety. Core skills include critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication, all essential for evaluating cellular structures and abnormalities.
Credentials awarded
What Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree44 graduates / yr · 6 institutions32%
- Associate's degree27 graduates / yr · 1 institution20%
- Bachelor's degree27 graduates / yr · 5 institutions20%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year23 graduates / yr · 3 institutions17%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions7.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years6 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.4%
Graduates over time
Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 93 |
| 2013 | 94 |
| 2014 | 79 |
| 2015 | 108 |
| 2016 | 83 |
| 2017 | 80 |
| 2018 | 70 |
| 2019 | 86 |
| 2020 | 84 |
| 2021 | 101 |
| 2022 | 101 |
| 2023 | 123 |
| 2024 | 127 |
| 2025 | 137 |
Top 16 institutions for Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Fennimore, WIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 66% | — | $56,241 |
| 2 | University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NEPublicMaster's | 17 | — | — | $66,712 |
| 3 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 31% | — | — |
| 4 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, ARPublicBachelor's | 10 | — | — | $59,134 |
| 5 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicBachelor's | 10 | 54% | — | $58,316 |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 90% | — | — |
| 7 | Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Albany, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 68% | $23,207 | — |
| 8 | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis, TNPublicMaster's | 7 | — | — | — |
| 9 | Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Rochester, MNPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | — | — | $70,333 |
| 10 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster's | 6 | 84% | — | $80,060 |
| 11 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 57% | — | $86,173 |
| 12 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 5 | 69% | $26,034 | — |
| 13 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences San Juan, PRPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | — | — | — |
| 14 | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 5 | — | — | $62,861 |
| 15 | Daemen University Amherst, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 59% | $16,826 | — |
| 16 | Edgewood University Madison, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 60% | $23,822 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions field (CIP 51.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 12 states & territories
Where Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist graduates come from. Each state links to all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 3 | 40 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College29 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 17 | University of Nebraska Medical Center17 / yr |
| New York | 3 | 15 | Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences7 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 11 | Central Piedmont Community College11 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 10 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences10 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 10 | Indiana University - Indianapolis10 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 7 | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center7 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 6 | Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science6 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 6 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick6 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 5 | Thomas Jefferson University5 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 5 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences5 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 5 | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center5 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1071, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Cytotechnology program can pursue careers as health specialties teachers or medical and clinical laboratory technologists. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 17.3% and an annual opening of approximately 27,400 positions. The median wage for these professionals is $105,620, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.1002
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists SOC 29-2011 | — | — | — | — |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise laboratory sessions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Tools and technology used
Other Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10).
- Phlebotomy Technician/CIP 51.1009
Phlebotomist 10,645 graduates / yr335 institutions - Clinical Laboratory Science/CIP 51.1005
Medical Technology/ Technologist 4,160 graduates / yr233 institutions - Clinical/CIP 51.1004
Medical Laboratory Technician 3,375 graduates / yr262 institutions - Sterile Processing Technology/CIP 51.1012
Technician 2,477 graduates / yr105 institutions - Clinical/CIP 51.1099
Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions 806 graduates / yr35 institutions - Histologic TechnicianCIP 51.1008243 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Blood Bank Technology SpecialistCIP 51.1001227 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Histologic Technology/CIP 51.1007
Histotechnologist 98 graduates / yr16 institutions - Hematology Technology/CIP 51.1003
Technician partial data84 graduates / yr3 institutions - Renal/CIP 51.1011
Dialysis Technologist/ Technician partial data77 graduates / yr8 institutions - Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/CIP 51.1006
Technician partial data72 graduates / yr3 institutions - Cytogenetics/CIP 51.1010
Genetics/ Clinical Genetics Technology/ Technologist limited data33 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs →
Common questions
What is cytotechnology?+
Cytotechnology is a field that focuses on detecting changes in body cells to help diagnose diseases, including cancer.
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, among others.
What is the job outlook for cytotechnologists?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 17.3% and approximately 27,400 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist?+
Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist is CIP 51.1002 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to work with pathologists to detect changes in body cells that may indicate, and permit diagnosis of, the early development of cancers and other diseases. Includes instruction in biochemistry, microbiology, applied mathematics, microscopy, slide preparation, identification of cellular structures and abnormalities, and laboratory procedures and safety.
How many institutions offer Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist programs?+
16 U.S. institutions reported Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 12 states & territories, awarding 137 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% of all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions graduates.
How much do Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist most directly leads to, pays a median of $107,310 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions field report median earnings of $66,712 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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